Manual depilatory device

ABSTRACT

A manual depilatory device has handles attached to opposite ends of a length of resilient coiled wire. Body hair, such as facial hair, is removed by grasping the handles and bending the coiled wire into a generally U-shaped configuration or semi-circle. The handles are manually twisted and the coiled wire moved along the skin surface of the body area from which hair is to be removed, causing hair to become lodged within the coiled wire and removed from the skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to depilatory devices and techniques. More specifically the present invention relates to manual or hand-held depilatory devices.

[0002] Various types of mechanical depilatory devices have been proposed and are known in the market place.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,175 to Daar et al. (1991) illustrates an electrically powered depilatory device including a hand held portable housing, a hair engagement and removal assembly including elongate elements in mutually twisted engagement and a motor for driving the elongate elements in motion, whereby hair is engaged between the elongate elements and thus removed. The disadvantages of the device are that:

[0004] (a) It is powered electrically therefore it cannot be used where electricity is not available;

[0005] (b) It's not sufficient or practical to use on facial hair especially in places such as the eyebrows and hair above the lips;

[0006] (c) One is unable to see exactly what hair is being removed because the housing covers the strings that remove the hair; and

[0007] (d) The device is continuously working in one direction, and therefore might accidentally remove the wanted hair especially since the operating tip of the device being the elongate elements are covered by the housing.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,722 to Avrahami (1992) illustrates a method and device for plucking hair by engaging the hair with a hair-plucker body to clamp the hair thereto, moving the hair-plucker body and the hair clamp in the plucking direction with respect to skin, and successively interpreting the movement of the hair-plucker body by a series of short tugs to the hair until it is plucked from the skin. The disadvantages of the device are: a) the device processes very slowly; b) it is unpractical for any other part of the body; c) it can only be used were electricity is available; and d) it removes the hairs one at a time therefore taking a long time to pluck the hair.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,419, to Garenfeld (1994) shows an invention that relates to a depilation apparatus provided with a depilation member having pinching elements for consecutively holding hairs, and clamping and pulling said hairs from the skin. The disadvantages of this device are: a) it can only be used were electricity is available therefore it cannot be used without electricity; b) it is too fast, therefore too painful; and c) it is hard to control and it is too wide to be used for facial hair.

[0010] Accordingly, there remains a need for a depilatory device that has a simple mechanism which can be manufactured inexpensively so that consequently it is affordable to most potential users. Such a device should be portable and capable of being used anywhere, and whose operation does not depend on availability of electricity or use of batteries. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a manual depilatory device is comprised of a length of resilient coiled wire having opposite ends attached to handles. The device is particularly intended to remove facial hair and be small enough to be easily manipulated and stored in a purse or the like. Accordingly, the device is typically less than 300 mm in length. The coiled wire itself is typically between 75 and 150 mm in length, and has a diameter of less than 10 mm.

[0012] In use, a user grasps the handles of the device and bends the coiled wire. Preferably, the coiled wire is bent into a generally U-shaped configuration, such as a semicircle. The coiled wire is then manually twisted by turning handles thereof, and moved along the skin surface of the body area from which hair is to be removed, typically the face, causing hair to become lodged within the coiled wire and removed from the skin.

[0013] The present invention provides the minimum number of parts, a simple method of use, needs no electricity or motors, uses less materials collectively than comparable devices in the prior art, is lighter and smaller, and the cost of manufacturing is lower in respect to all prior inventions known at the present time.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[0016]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a depilatory device embodying the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the depilatory device of FIG. 1 being held in a bent formation by hands of a user of the device; and

[0018]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the depilatory device of FIG. 1 being used to remove facial hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is concerned with a depilatory device, generally referred to by the reference number 10. The device 10 includes a length of resilient wire 12 which is tightly coiled to form a spring-like member. As illustrated in FIG. 1, opposing ends 14 and 16 of the coiled wire 12 are attached to handles 18. The coiled wire 12 is typically comprised of metal, such as stainless steel. Preferably, the handles 18 are comprised of inexpensive material such as plastic. The handles 18 also preferably include an irregular surface having raised projections 20 and grooves 22 which facilitate gripping.

[0020] The device 10 is sized such that it can be easily stored and transported in a purse or make-up bag so as to be accessible at any time. In this respect, the device itself is typically less than 300 mm in length, and preferably approximately 200 mm in length. The coiled wire 12 is typically between 75 and 155 mm in length, and preferably approximately 100 mm in length. The coiled wire is less than 10 mm in diameter, with a preferable diameter of 6 mm.

[0021] The handles 18 can be attached to the coiled wire 12 ends 14 and 16 during the molding procedure, adhered to the ends 14 and 16, threaded or forced fit onto the ends 14 and 16 or by any other appropriate attachment method.

[0022] In use, both hands 24 firmly grip each handle 18 between the thumb 26 and fingers 28. The coiled wire 12 is bent into a generally U-shaped configuration to form a semi-circle as shown in FIG. 2. Each handle 18 is then rotated to twist the coiled wire 12 as the coiled wire 12 is moved along the facial skin surface 30. Facial hair is caught within the twisting coiled wire 12 and removed from the skin 30 as the device 10 is moved. The facial hair is pulled out from its root so that it will not grow back as quickly. A tingling sensation is felt on the skin 30 as the hair is pulled from its root, providing an added benefit of messaging the face while removing the facial hair.

[0023] After use, the coiled wire 12 is cleaned by, for example, rubbing an absorbent cotton ball previously damped with rubbing alcohol. The remaining facial hairs are removed from the springed coil 12 during cleaning, and the device 10 can be stored, such as in a purse or the like.

[0024] The device 10 of the present invention is advantageous in that it does not require painful electric shock, such as electrolysis, burning wax or harmful chemicals, nor batteries or electric plugins, as required with prior art devices. Moreover, due to its small size and ease of use, the device 10 can be carried in one's purse and be used at any time.

[0025] Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A manual depilatory device, comprising: a length of resilient coiled wire having opposite ends; and handles attached to the opposite ends of the coiled wire, whereby hair can be removed from a human body by manually twisting and moving the coiled wire to catch hairs to be removed within the coiled wire and pull the hairs from skin.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is less than 300 millimeters in length.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the coiled wire is between 75 and 150 millimeters in length.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the coiled wire is less than 10 millimeters in diameter.
 5. A method for removing body hair, comprising the steps of: providing a depilatory device having a length of resilient coiled wire and handles at ends thereof; grasping the handles and bending the coiled wire; and manually twisting and moving the coiled wire along the skin surface of the body area from which hair is to be removed, causing hair to become lodged within the coiled wire and removed from the skin.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the bending step includes bending the coiled wire into a generally U-shaped configuration.
 8. A method for removing facial hair, comprising the steps of: providing a depilatory device having a length of resilient coiled wire and handles at ends thereof; grasping the handles and bending the coiled wire into a generally U-shaped configuration; and manually moving the bent coiled wire along the skin surface of the face while twisting the handles, causing facial hair to become lodged within the coiled wire and removed from the skin. 